![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s36700.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/002_Dog_on_stairs_getty484958544-406x600.png\")
Hearing your dog whimper or yelp can definitely jar you. Seeing your pup limp can worry you. Witnessing your senior dog with arthritis gingerly walk up steps can make you cringe.<\/p>\n
Like us, our dogs are not shielded from pain that is simply defined as any physical discomfort caused by injury or disease. Pain can be acute, such as suffering from a broken leg, or chronic, such as contending constantly with arthritis in the joints. And pain can definitely affect your dog\u2019s behavior, shifting him from being energetic and happy to one who now hides, acts depressed or becomes a bit nippy if you touch a painful area on his body.<\/p>\n
\u201cFixing pain is one of the most rewarding activities I\u2019ve been involved in during my career, as it allows me to facilitate, enhance, lengthen and strengthen the precious family-pet relationship,\u201d says Dr. Robin Downing, a veterinarian board-certified as a veterinary pain practitioner and canine rehabilitation practitioner, who heads The Downing Center for Animal Pain Management in Windsor, Colorado.<\/p>\n
She points to a watershed moment during veterinary school in the 1980s when a professor advised to not take away all of the pain in dogs recovering from surgeries because the dogs would \u201cmove around and hurt themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEven then, as a mere student, that did not sound right,\u201d says Dr. Downing, who is now regarded as a leader in pain management for pets.<\/p>\n
Fortunately for our dogs, pain management is garnering much-needed attention in recent years. The growing arsenal of pain-relieving options now ranges from medications, laser therapy, acupuncture, acupressure and hydrotherapy to joint supplements and basic warm-ups before vigorous hikes or runs followed by muscle- stretching cooldowns.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a closer look at medications, therapies and supplements used for pain management. Here are four common medications prescribed to dogs to alleviate pain:<\/p>\n
Prednisone<\/h3>\n
This steroid\u00a0is used to replace or supplement glucocorticoids in dogs dealing with shock or Addison\u2019s disease. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory for dogs experiencing pain, fevers or cancers, such as lymphoma.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pros of using a steroid are that it has great immediate effects of reducing pain and inflammation in our pets,\u201d says Dr. Lindsay Butzer, a second-generation veterinarian at the Clint Moore Animal Hospital in Boca Raton, Florida, and PetMeds Partner. \u201cThe cons are that a steroid cannot be used long-term due to severe side effects, such as developing liver disease, Cushing\u2019s disease, diabetes and because it suppresses the immune system.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tramadol<\/h3>\n
This opioid\u00a0is used for pain control and blocks pain pathways in a dog\u2019s body. It is often used to control post-surgical or chronic pain for dogs dealing with arthritis or hip dysplasia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pros of tramadol are that it is a non-expensive pain drug with a wide margin or safety and minimal organ damage,\u201d Dr. Butzer says. \u201cThe cons are that it can lower the threshold for seizures in dogs with a history of epilepsy and can cause moderate constipation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gabapentin<\/h3>\n
This neuropathic pain medication\u00a0is generally used as a sedative and pain medication. It helps keep dogs calm and relaxed.<\/p>\n
\u201cGabapentin has been available as a low-cost generic for dogs for nearly 20 years,\u201d Dr. Downing says.<\/p>\n
Adds Dr. Butzer, \u201cIt has a wide margin of safety and there is very little organ dysfunction noticed on bloodwork after long-term use. The cons of gabapentin are minimal. Most dogs have no side effects.\u201d<\/p>\n
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatiories (NSAIDS)<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s36700.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Senior_Dog_Getty1130484695-600x400.png\")
\u00a9BigshotD3 | Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThis pain category\u00a0includes drugs Rimadyl, Galliprant, Previcox and Metacam \u2014 all formulated for dogs.<\/p>\n
\u201cNSAIDS remain the cornerstones of pain management, both acute and chronic,\u201d Dr. Downing says. \u201cThey address pain and inflammation. There is no one \u2018best\u2019 NSAID, as the best NSAID is the one that works best for a specific patient.\u201d<\/p>\n
When paired with other pain-relieving products over time, veterinarians can safely lower the NSAID dose.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis lowering provides potential protection of the organs responsible for clearing the drug from the body,\u201d Dr. Downing says.<\/p>\n
Major caution:<\/strong> Never give your dog human NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as they can cause renal failure and even death.<\/p>\n\u201cIt is not safe to give your dog over-the-counter pain medicine, Tylenol or Advil for pain,\u201d Dr. Downing says. \u201cIbuprofen is very toxic in dogs and can cause death. OTC meds from the human medicine cabinet are just not a good choice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Supplements for Pain<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s36700.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/vet_and_older_dog_Getty1357774532-600x434.png\")
\u00a9FatCamera | Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDr. Butzer acknowledges the rise in interest among pet parents to give their dogs CBD oil or joint supplements that contain glucosamine chondroitin.<\/p>\n
\u201cCBD has been used now for over a decade and has been showing great pain relief in pets with safe dosing margins,\u201d Dr. Butzer says. \u201cAs for supplements, look for those with the NASC (National Animal Supplement Council)<\/a> quality seal, as you can feel confident that this product comes from a company that is committed to quality and consistency.\u201d<\/p>\nDr. Downing says nutraceuticals are in their own class for pain relief in dogs but unleashes this advice:<\/p>\n
\u201cBuyer beware,\u201d\u00a0she says. \u201cThis is a relatively unregulated industry, although it has gotten better in recent years. We now have several safe and effective nutraceuticals that have study data to support their use.\u201d<\/p>\n
Verdict:<\/strong>\u00a0Both say to always talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog any OTC product.<\/p>\nExpect pain management in dogs to continue evolving.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnology continues to advance, so who knows what additional options we will have available that utilize various types of energy or mechanics?\u201d Dr. Downing says. \u201cAt some point, the holy grail of cartilage replacement will be discovered and that will be a game changer in osteoarthritis management.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pain-Relieving Therapeutic Options<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s36700.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Massage_therapy_getty149103810-600x399.png\")
\u00a9FatCamera | Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe healing power of touch can be effective in relieving pain in dogs. A pioneer in the use of<\/p>\n
acupressure on pets is Sue Furman, PhD, founder of the Holistic Touch Therapy School of Canine Massage and Acupressure in Victoria, Texas.<\/p>\n
\u201cAcupressure is used to control pain, cure disease and promote healing,\u201d Dr. Furman says. \u201cThe meridians or channels in a body are called Chi, which is considered life energy. When Chi gets blocked, it can initiate pain or discomfort or disease. If you stimulate particular points, you can initiate healing.\u201d<\/p>\n
For some canine patients, Dr. Downing combines the use of therapeutic laser (known as photobiomodulation) followed by acupuncture. She also has some pet parents use the tPEMF (Assisi loop<\/a>) in between clinic sessions at home.<\/p>\n\u201cAll of these are safe physical modalities that play a role in canine chronic pain management,\u201d she says. \u201cThey are safe, effective and grounded in good data.\u201d<\/p>\n
The post Time for Pain Medication 101<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
The post Time for Pain Medication 101<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n\u00a9FatCamera | Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHearing your dog whimper or yelp can definitely jar you. Seeing your pup limp can worry you. Witnessing your senior dog with arthritis gingerly walk up steps can make you cringe.<\/p>\n
Like us, our dogs are not shielded from pain that is simply defined as any physical discomfort caused by injury or disease. Pain can be acute, such as suffering from a broken leg, or chronic, such as contending constantly with arthritis in the joints. And pain can definitely affect your dog\u2019s behavior, shifting him from being energetic and happy to one who now hides, acts depressed or becomes a bit nippy if you touch a painful area on his body.<\/p>\n
\u201cFixing pain is one of the most rewarding activities I\u2019ve been involved in during my career, as it allows me to facilitate, enhance, lengthen and strengthen the precious family-pet relationship,\u201d says Dr. Robin Downing, a veterinarian board-certified as a veterinary pain practitioner and canine rehabilitation practitioner, who heads The Downing Center for Animal Pain Management in Windsor, Colorado.<\/p>\n
She points to a watershed moment during veterinary school in the 1980s when a professor advised to not take away all of the pain in dogs recovering from surgeries because the dogs would \u201cmove around and hurt themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEven then, as a mere student, that did not sound right,\u201d says Dr. Downing, who is now regarded as a leader in pain management for pets.<\/p>\n
Fortunately for our dogs, pain management is garnering much-needed attention in recent years. The growing arsenal of pain-relieving options now ranges from medications, laser therapy, acupuncture, acupressure and hydrotherapy to joint supplements and basic warm-ups before vigorous hikes or runs followed by muscle- stretching cooldowns.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a closer look at medications, therapies and supplements used for pain management. Here are four common medications prescribed to dogs to alleviate pain:<\/p>\n
Prednisone<\/h3>\n
This steroid\u00a0is used to replace or supplement glucocorticoids in dogs dealing with shock or Addison\u2019s disease. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory for dogs experiencing pain, fevers or cancers, such as lymphoma.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pros of using a steroid are that it has great immediate effects of reducing pain and inflammation in our pets,\u201d says Dr. Lindsay Butzer, a second-generation veterinarian at the Clint Moore Animal Hospital in Boca Raton, Florida, and PetMeds Partner. \u201cThe cons are that a steroid cannot be used long-term due to severe side effects, such as developing liver disease, Cushing\u2019s disease, diabetes and because it suppresses the immune system.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tramadol<\/h3>\n
This opioid\u00a0is used for pain control and blocks pain pathways in a dog\u2019s body. It is often used to control post-surgical or chronic pain for dogs dealing with arthritis or hip dysplasia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pros of tramadol are that it is a non-expensive pain drug with a wide margin or safety and minimal organ damage,\u201d Dr. Butzer says. \u201cThe cons are that it can lower the threshold for seizures in dogs with a history of epilepsy and can cause moderate constipation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gabapentin<\/h3>\n
This neuropathic pain medication\u00a0is generally used as a sedative and pain medication. It helps keep dogs calm and relaxed.<\/p>\n
\u201cGabapentin has been available as a low-cost generic for dogs for nearly 20 years,\u201d Dr. Downing says.<\/p>\n
Adds Dr. Butzer, \u201cIt has a wide margin of safety and there is very little organ dysfunction noticed on bloodwork after long-term use. The cons of gabapentin are minimal. Most dogs have no side effects.\u201d<\/p>\n
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatiories (NSAIDS)<\/h3>\n\u00a9BigshotD3 | Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThis pain category\u00a0includes drugs Rimadyl, Galliprant, Previcox and Metacam \u2014 all formulated for dogs.<\/p>\n
\u201cNSAIDS remain the cornerstones of pain management, both acute and chronic,\u201d Dr. Downing says. \u201cThey address pain and inflammation. There is no one \u2018best\u2019 NSAID, as the best NSAID is the one that works best for a specific patient.\u201d<\/p>\n
When paired with other pain-relieving products over time, veterinarians can safely lower the NSAID dose.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis lowering provides potential protection of the organs responsible for clearing the drug from the body,\u201d Dr. Downing says.<\/p>\n
Major caution:<\/strong> Never give your dog human NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as they can cause renal failure and even death.<\/p>\n\u201cIt is not safe to give your dog over-the-counter pain medicine, Tylenol or Advil for pain,\u201d Dr. Downing says. \u201cIbuprofen is very toxic in dogs and can cause death. OTC meds from the human medicine cabinet are just not a good choice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Supplements for Pain<\/h3>\n\u00a9FatCamera | Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDr. Butzer acknowledges the rise in interest among pet parents to give their dogs CBD oil or joint supplements that contain glucosamine chondroitin.<\/p>\n
\u201cCBD has been used now for over a decade and has been showing great pain relief in pets with safe dosing margins,\u201d Dr. Butzer says. \u201cAs for supplements, look for those with the NASC (National Animal Supplement Council)<\/a> quality seal, as you can feel confident that this product comes from a company that is committed to quality and consistency.\u201d<\/p>\nDr. Downing says nutraceuticals are in their own class for pain relief in dogs but unleashes this advice:<\/p>\n
\u201cBuyer beware,\u201d\u00a0she says. \u201cThis is a relatively unregulated industry, although it has gotten better in recent years. We now have several safe and effective nutraceuticals that have study data to support their use.\u201d<\/p>\n
Verdict:<\/strong>\u00a0Both say to always talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog any OTC product.<\/p>\nExpect pain management in dogs to continue evolving.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnology continues to advance, so who knows what additional options we will have available that utilize various types of energy or mechanics?\u201d Dr. Downing says. \u201cAt some point, the holy grail of cartilage replacement will be discovered and that will be a game changer in osteoarthritis management.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pain-Relieving Therapeutic Options<\/h3>\n\u00a9FatCamera | Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe healing power of touch can be effective in relieving pain in dogs. A pioneer in the use of<\/p>\n
acupressure on pets is Sue Furman, PhD, founder of the Holistic Touch Therapy School of Canine Massage and Acupressure in Victoria, Texas.<\/p>\n
\u201cAcupressure is used to control pain, cure disease and promote healing,\u201d Dr. Furman says. \u201cThe meridians or channels in a body are called Chi, which is considered life energy. When Chi gets blocked, it can initiate pain or discomfort or disease. If you stimulate particular points, you can initiate healing.\u201d<\/p>\n
For some canine patients, Dr. Downing combines the use of therapeutic laser (known as photobiomodulation) followed by acupuncture. She also has some pet parents use the tPEMF (Assisi loop<\/a>) in between clinic sessions at home.<\/p>\n\u201cAll of these are safe physical modalities that play a role in canine chronic pain management,\u201d she says. \u201cThey are safe, effective and grounded in good data.\u201d<\/p>\n
The post Time for Pain Medication 101<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14819","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
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This pain category\u00a0includes drugs Rimadyl, Galliprant, Previcox and Metacam \u2014 all formulated for dogs.<\/p>\n
\u201cNSAIDS remain the cornerstones of pain management, both acute and chronic,\u201d Dr. Downing says. \u201cThey address pain and inflammation. There is no one \u2018best\u2019 NSAID, as the best NSAID is the one that works best for a specific patient.\u201d<\/p>\n
When paired with other pain-relieving products over time, veterinarians can safely lower the NSAID dose.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis lowering provides potential protection of the organs responsible for clearing the drug from the body,\u201d Dr. Downing says.<\/p>\n
Major caution:<\/strong> Never give your dog human NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as they can cause renal failure and even death.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not safe to give your dog over-the-counter pain medicine, Tylenol or Advil for pain,\u201d Dr. Downing says. \u201cIbuprofen is very toxic in dogs and can cause death. OTC meds from the human medicine cabinet are just not a good choice.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Butzer acknowledges the rise in interest among pet parents to give their dogs CBD oil or joint supplements that contain glucosamine chondroitin.<\/p>\n \u201cCBD has been used now for over a decade and has been showing great pain relief in pets with safe dosing margins,\u201d Dr. Butzer says. \u201cAs for supplements, look for those with the NASC (National Animal Supplement Council)<\/a> quality seal, as you can feel confident that this product comes from a company that is committed to quality and consistency.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Downing says nutraceuticals are in their own class for pain relief in dogs but unleashes this advice:<\/p>\n \u201cBuyer beware,\u201d\u00a0she says. \u201cThis is a relatively unregulated industry, although it has gotten better in recent years. We now have several safe and effective nutraceuticals that have study data to support their use.\u201d<\/p>\n Verdict:<\/strong>\u00a0Both say to always talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog any OTC product.<\/p>\n Expect pain management in dogs to continue evolving.<\/p>\n \u201cTechnology continues to advance, so who knows what additional options we will have available that utilize various types of energy or mechanics?\u201d Dr. Downing says. \u201cAt some point, the holy grail of cartilage replacement will be discovered and that will be a game changer in osteoarthritis management.\u201d<\/p>\n The healing power of touch can be effective in relieving pain in dogs. A pioneer in the use of<\/p>\n acupressure on pets is Sue Furman, PhD, founder of the Holistic Touch Therapy School of Canine Massage and Acupressure in Victoria, Texas.<\/p>\n \u201cAcupressure is used to control pain, cure disease and promote healing,\u201d Dr. Furman says. \u201cThe meridians or channels in a body are called Chi, which is considered life energy. When Chi gets blocked, it can initiate pain or discomfort or disease. If you stimulate particular points, you can initiate healing.\u201d<\/p>\n For some canine patients, Dr. Downing combines the use of therapeutic laser (known as photobiomodulation) followed by acupuncture. She also has some pet parents use the tPEMF (Assisi loop<\/a>) in between clinic sessions at home.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of these are safe physical modalities that play a role in canine chronic pain management,\u201d she says. \u201cThey are safe, effective and grounded in good data.\u201d<\/p>\n The post Time for Pain Medication 101<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n The post Time for Pain Medication 101<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n Hearing your dog whimper or yelp can definitely jar you. Seeing your pup limp can worry you. Witnessing your senior dog with arthritis gingerly walk up steps can make you cringe.<\/p>\n Like us, our dogs are not shielded from pain that is simply defined as any physical discomfort caused by injury or disease. Pain can be acute, such as suffering from a broken leg, or chronic, such as contending constantly with arthritis in the joints. And pain can definitely affect your dog\u2019s behavior, shifting him from being energetic and happy to one who now hides, acts depressed or becomes a bit nippy if you touch a painful area on his body.<\/p>\n \u201cFixing pain is one of the most rewarding activities I\u2019ve been involved in during my career, as it allows me to facilitate, enhance, lengthen and strengthen the precious family-pet relationship,\u201d says Dr. Robin Downing, a veterinarian board-certified as a veterinary pain practitioner and canine rehabilitation practitioner, who heads The Downing Center for Animal Pain Management in Windsor, Colorado.<\/p>\n She points to a watershed moment during veterinary school in the 1980s when a professor advised to not take away all of the pain in dogs recovering from surgeries because the dogs would \u201cmove around and hurt themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven then, as a mere student, that did not sound right,\u201d says Dr. Downing, who is now regarded as a leader in pain management for pets.<\/p>\n Fortunately for our dogs, pain management is garnering much-needed attention in recent years. The growing arsenal of pain-relieving options now ranges from medications, laser therapy, acupuncture, acupressure and hydrotherapy to joint supplements and basic warm-ups before vigorous hikes or runs followed by muscle- stretching cooldowns.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a closer look at medications, therapies and supplements used for pain management. Here are four common medications prescribed to dogs to alleviate pain:<\/p>\n This steroid\u00a0is used to replace or supplement glucocorticoids in dogs dealing with shock or Addison\u2019s disease. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory for dogs experiencing pain, fevers or cancers, such as lymphoma.<\/p>\n \u201cThe pros of using a steroid are that it has great immediate effects of reducing pain and inflammation in our pets,\u201d says Dr. Lindsay Butzer, a second-generation veterinarian at the Clint Moore Animal Hospital in Boca Raton, Florida, and PetMeds Partner. \u201cThe cons are that a steroid cannot be used long-term due to severe side effects, such as developing liver disease, Cushing\u2019s disease, diabetes and because it suppresses the immune system.\u201d<\/p>\n This opioid\u00a0is used for pain control and blocks pain pathways in a dog\u2019s body. It is often used to control post-surgical or chronic pain for dogs dealing with arthritis or hip dysplasia.<\/p>\n \u201cThe pros of tramadol are that it is a non-expensive pain drug with a wide margin or safety and minimal organ damage,\u201d Dr. Butzer says. \u201cThe cons are that it can lower the threshold for seizures in dogs with a history of epilepsy and can cause moderate constipation.\u201d<\/p>\n This neuropathic pain medication\u00a0is generally used as a sedative and pain medication. It helps keep dogs calm and relaxed.<\/p>\n \u201cGabapentin has been available as a low-cost generic for dogs for nearly 20 years,\u201d Dr. Downing says.<\/p>\n Adds Dr. Butzer, \u201cIt has a wide margin of safety and there is very little organ dysfunction noticed on bloodwork after long-term use. The cons of gabapentin are minimal. Most dogs have no side effects.\u201d<\/p>\n This pain category\u00a0includes drugs Rimadyl, Galliprant, Previcox and Metacam \u2014 all formulated for dogs.<\/p>\n \u201cNSAIDS remain the cornerstones of pain management, both acute and chronic,\u201d Dr. Downing says. \u201cThey address pain and inflammation. There is no one \u2018best\u2019 NSAID, as the best NSAID is the one that works best for a specific patient.\u201d<\/p>\n When paired with other pain-relieving products over time, veterinarians can safely lower the NSAID dose.<\/p>\n \u201cThis lowering provides potential protection of the organs responsible for clearing the drug from the body,\u201d Dr. Downing says.<\/p>\n Major caution:<\/strong> Never give your dog human NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as they can cause renal failure and even death.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not safe to give your dog over-the-counter pain medicine, Tylenol or Advil for pain,\u201d Dr. Downing says. \u201cIbuprofen is very toxic in dogs and can cause death. OTC meds from the human medicine cabinet are just not a good choice.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Butzer acknowledges the rise in interest among pet parents to give their dogs CBD oil or joint supplements that contain glucosamine chondroitin.<\/p>\n \u201cCBD has been used now for over a decade and has been showing great pain relief in pets with safe dosing margins,\u201d Dr. Butzer says. \u201cAs for supplements, look for those with the NASC (National Animal Supplement Council)<\/a> quality seal, as you can feel confident that this product comes from a company that is committed to quality and consistency.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Downing says nutraceuticals are in their own class for pain relief in dogs but unleashes this advice:<\/p>\n \u201cBuyer beware,\u201d\u00a0she says. \u201cThis is a relatively unregulated industry, although it has gotten better in recent years. We now have several safe and effective nutraceuticals that have study data to support their use.\u201d<\/p>\n Verdict:<\/strong>\u00a0Both say to always talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog any OTC product.<\/p>\n Expect pain management in dogs to continue evolving.<\/p>\n \u201cTechnology continues to advance, so who knows what additional options we will have available that utilize various types of energy or mechanics?\u201d Dr. Downing says. \u201cAt some point, the holy grail of cartilage replacement will be discovered and that will be a game changer in osteoarthritis management.\u201d<\/p>\n The healing power of touch can be effective in relieving pain in dogs. A pioneer in the use of<\/p>\n acupressure on pets is Sue Furman, PhD, founder of the Holistic Touch Therapy School of Canine Massage and Acupressure in Victoria, Texas.<\/p>\n \u201cAcupressure is used to control pain, cure disease and promote healing,\u201d Dr. Furman says. \u201cThe meridians or channels in a body are called Chi, which is considered life energy. When Chi gets blocked, it can initiate pain or discomfort or disease. If you stimulate particular points, you can initiate healing.\u201d<\/p>\n For some canine patients, Dr. Downing combines the use of therapeutic laser (known as photobiomodulation) followed by acupuncture. She also has some pet parents use the tPEMF (Assisi loop<\/a>) in between clinic sessions at home.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of these are safe physical modalities that play a role in canine chronic pain management,\u201d she says. \u201cThey are safe, effective and grounded in good data.\u201d<\/p>\n The post Time for Pain Medication 101<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14819","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nSupplements for Pain<\/h3>\n
Pain-Relieving Therapeutic Options<\/h3>\n
Prednisone<\/h3>\n
Tramadol<\/h3>\n
Gabapentin<\/h3>\n
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatiories (NSAIDS)<\/h3>\n
Supplements for Pain<\/h3>\n
Pain-Relieving Therapeutic Options<\/h3>\n